5 Best Online Gig Economy Jobs to Make Extra Money (Replace your Full-Time Job)

5 Best Online Gig Economy Jobs to Make Extra Money (Replace your Full-Time Job)
Photo by Windows / Unsplash

With an estimate of over 540 million people around the globe now taking contractual gigs rather than the contemporary 9-5 full-time employees, the Gig economy has seen a tremendous rise and has revolutionized how we view the workplace.

When businesses were shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of workers shifted to the gig economy in a bid to try and make ends meet. The gig economy allowed most people to work remotely and create flexible schedules.

Despite the world returning to some level of normalcy and businesses reopening, some businesses which were adversely affected by the pandemic are gone for good. This means that the employees affected by the closure of such businesses have no option but to either continue working in the gig economy or look for work elsewhere. And with the rise in unemployment, it seems likely that the gig economy is here to stay. In this guide, we will be taking you through some of the best gig economy jobs to make extra cash money or even replace your full-time job.

The Structure of the Gig Economy

The gig economy is structured in three different levels- with each level of the gig economy having its pros and cons. It is important to understand the different levels of the gig economy before venturing into the gig economy:

1. Gig-Specific Apps

These are mobile applications that offer freelancers or independent contractors gigs that can be done using their phones.

Pros: They are the easiest and fastest way for freelancers to earn since the clients are provided to you directly, and you do not need to market yourself to get the gigs.

Cons: Most gig-specific apps take a huge percentage of your earnings, and most of them do not allow freelancers to set or determine their own rates.

Gig specific apps include:

· Uber

· Doordash

· Amazon Flex

· Lime

· Grubhub

· Lyft

· Instacart

2. Entrepreneur-Style

These are websites that connect freelancers to clients and vice versa. Freelancers register, set up their profile, and enlist the services they are offering. Entrepreneur-style platforms offer direct communication with clients on and off the platform.

Pros: Highest income potential since you can set and determine your rates. Most of them do not require freelancers to pay any fees to find clients or connect to them.

Cons: Not best for new freelancers since you are responsible for everything, including marketing, sales, and pitching.

3. Platforms and Marketplaces

Platforms and marketplace are like entrepreneur-style platforms, the only difference being that they do not allow off-the-platform communication with clients.

Pros: You get to set and determine your own rates. It is easy to get clients and be connected to clients.

Cons: A percentage deduction from your earnings. You have to constantly keep updating your profile to land more gigs.

Examples of these platforms and marketplaces include:

· Upwork

· Fiverr

· 99 designs

· Task Rabbit

· Rover

· Field Agent

· Outschool

Best Gig Economy Jobs

Here are 5 best online gig economy jobs to help you make extra money and replace your full-time job:

1.     Proofreader

Before publishing a book, blog post, paper, or article, a proofreader is usually required to go through it to ensure that it is free from any typos, grammar, and syntax mistakes. As a freelance proofreader, you will be performing these services to new and published authors, website owners, journalists, and other publication platforms.

Proofreaders usually get anything between $1000-$1500 per month, and depending on the complexity of the task, this amount can go even higher.

Potential Pay

$1000-$1500 per month

Recommended Companies

Cambridge Proofreading Worldwide, Aquent

2.     Virtual Assistant

The total market value of Virtual assistants was capped at $2.58 billion in 2019, with the number set to rise to $6.27 billion in the year 2025. With more businesses choosing to operate remotely, this number is projected to rise even further.

As a virtual assistant, you will be in charge of various things, including data entry, setting up appointments, making travel arrangements, writing blog posts, etc. As a virtual assistant, you can make up to $3000 a month depending on the complexity of the tasks assigned to you and the number of hours required to complete such tasks.

Potential Pay

$3000 per month

Recommended Companies

Belay, Virtual Assistant USA, Priority VA

3.     Writer

If you can write articles on finance, real estate, health and fitness, or technology, you can be able to make a solid income from your craft. However, these are not the only niches that writers can write on; large companies around the globe, including major news publishing platforms, pay freelance writers for articles on varying topics.

Most freelance writers usually get paid on a per-word basis, while others pay based on the complexity of the project and the hours needed to complete the project.

Potential Pay

$1000-$2000 per month

Recommended Companies

Fiverr, Upwork, Contena, BloggingPro, ProBlogger

TIP: Would you like to become a writer and are wondering where to start? Get in touch with us today; we will take you through all the steps and guide you on what you need to know, where to get clients, etc. You can also click on this link to register for in-person training sessions with WritersWork

4.     Online Tutor

Online tutoring is one of the most common gig jobs known by most people. If you have the right qualifications, i.e., a degree and other relevant certifications, you can apply to become an online tutor. Online tutoring is very wide, and one can teach in any niche they feel comfortable about. For instance, you may choose to teach your native language to people looking to learn or prepare adult students for professional licensing exams that you have been able to pass successfully.

Potential Pay

$1000-$3000 per month

Recommended Companies

Chegg, TutorMe, Varsity Tutors

5.     Transcriber

Transcription is all about listening to audio recordings and typing them into written reports. As a transcriber, you will be paid by the audio hour, or depending on the complexity of the audio; you may be paid on a project basis. You do not need any certification to become a transcriber. However, some online platforms will require that you take a test and have a minimum word per minute (WPM) score. Here are some of the things that you will need to have to start transcribing:

· A laptop or Desktop: A simple laptop that can handle basic tasks with a powerful battery. Here is one that you can buy from amazon:

· Headset: A good headset is a piece of must-have transcription equipment. As a transcriber, you have to hear all the words clearly to be able to convert them into written reports. You should choose a headset that is both comfortable and remits clear audio. We recommend using noise-canceling headphones to help you concentrate on the audio without any distractions. Here is one that you can buy from amazon:

· Transcription Software: As a transcriber, you will have to use transcription software to ease your work. Some of the software you will need to have include:

a.     Audext

b.     Express Scribe

c.      The FTW transcriber

d.     Inqscribe

Potential Pay

$900-$1000

Recommended Companies

TranscribeMe, Allegis Transcription, Scribie, GoTranscript, Verbit

Frequently Asked Questions

1.     Why is it called gig economy?

The gig economy derives its name from the mode of allocation of work, i.e., each worker being allocated a specific task “gig” to do and paid based on the complexity or number of hours taken to complete the task.

2.     Is the gig economy good or bad?

The gig economy is good. It is the best substitute for those who do not like working on an office set-up or schedule. It is also a great way for other people to make some extra cash while still maintaining their normal day-to-day office jobs.

3.     Do gig workers’ pay taxes?

Yes, gig workers do pay taxes.

4.     How are gig workers paid?

Gig workers are paid on an hourly basis or depending on the complexity of the task being done. Some of the methods used to pay gig workers include Cheques, Paypal, Payoneer, Venmo, Skrill, etc.